Engorged breasts and breastfeeding

Engorgement is a rather fruity sounding word for when your breasts feel huge, hard and possibly a little leaky - a bit like watermelons.

Your breasts become engorged when you start breastfeeding, usually about two to five days after giving birth. It is referred to as your milk 'coming in', which may make you wonder just what your baby has been feeding on before this. Well, that would be colostrum (an antibody-packed creamy, yellow 'pre-milk', which is much richer in nutrients than regular breastmilk).

This initial breast engorgement when your milk is coming in should only last a day or two but you may find things a rather hot and tender meanwhile.

Once you have got breastfeeding established, your breasts can feel full when it is time to feed your baby. If this is not relieved by feeding your baby or expressing milk, your breasts may become taut and painful.